Google Seeking Developers' Participation For Creating Modules For Project Ara, First Hardware to Reach Developers by July End

The Google I/O logo is seen on the stage prior to the keynote speech at the Google I/O developers conference in San Francisco June 25, 2014.
REUTERS

Google announced they have started accepting requests from developers who are eager to receive the basic handset as part of its modular smartphone development project Ara. Developers will have time till July 17 to submit their requests in the first phase. The last date for submitting requests for the next phase is until August 17.

Google Project Ara is aimed at creating the world's first smartphone that allows for true customizable options. As such, users will have the choice to choose only those features that they'd prefer to have on their smartphone. Customizable options can vary from the camera, processor, dual or single sim support and so on. Each of the component will comprise of a separate part that can be attached to the smartphone via electro permanent magnets.

The design board to be shipped in the first phase is 'designed to help with prototyping and development of modules for the Ara platform, including modules for the current (first) prize challenge that we formally announced at Google I/O,' stated Google in an email to developers, reports Mashable.

The team that comes up with the most innovative module that allows users to accomplish 'something you can't do today with a smartphone' will be eligible for a $100,000 reward.

During the beta phase that the Project Ara is in right now, Google is leaving it to third party developers to come up with new ideas of the type of modules that can be attached to the smartphone. Developers will be supplied with the circuit board that will enable them to test out their modules. Google has shown off the Ara handset during its I/O conference held in June. It's still a work in progress sort of thing though the smartphone was functional to some extent. The search giant also announced they wish to have the first devices reach developers' end by end of this month though it could be still early 2015 for the first fully functional Ara smartphones to reach markets, speculates CNET. Google also stated they are looking at a price point of $50 for the finished smartphones on average.